Briefly

Bank releases additional parking spots downtown

Shoppers in downtown Lawrence now have a few more parking places along Massachusetts Street at their disposal.

Firstar Bank, 900 Mass., has released nine metered parking places from an agreement it had with the city of Lawrence to limit its parking times to 30 minutes, according to a news release from the city. The times are being increased to 90 minutes.

The parking meters had been limited to 30 minutes so that they would be used mainly by the bank's customers. That agreement was reached after the bank's off-street parking was displaced by construction of a new city parking garage and arts center behind the bank in the 900 block of New Hampshire Street.

The bank still will retain five or six 30-minute parking meters on Massachusetts, the city said.

Education

New director appointed to lead schools foundation

An employee of a Lawrence graphic design firm has been appointed director of the Lawrence school district's charitable foundation.

Lori Johns, new business and project coordinator for North Co., is the new director of the Lawrence Schools Foundation. She replaced Mike Miller, who resigned in August.

The foundation is a nonprofit organization that raises money for public school programs.

In 1993, Johns was hired by the city as director of Project Freedom Coalition, an organization dedicated to substance-abuse prevention. She served two years as a field instructor for Kansas University's School of Social Welfare and was executive director of Lawrence Habitat for Humanity in 1998.

Charity

Bureau seeks donations, adoptive families for holiday

The Holiday Bureau has adopted 477 families for the holiday season and is looking for more families, individuals and businesses to adopt families.

According to the bureau, which consists of the Ballard Community Center, Douglas County ECKAN, Douglas County Senior Services, Penn House and the Salvation Army, financial donations to assist with supplemental gifts also are needed.

All parties who adopt a family are asked to provide a new toy for each child, an outfit of clothing and a gift for each family member and a holiday meal.

Anyone interested in adopting a family should contact Linda Lassen, Penn House, 842-0440, or another of the bureau's organizations.

The bureau is still taking applications to be adopted, and anyone wishing to apply should bring proof of income, Social Security cards for each member of the household and proof of Douglas County residency.

Health

Flu vaccines available

The public is encouraged to get flu shots now that most high-risk group members have been served.

Saturday, the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department will administer flu shots to the young and healthy, as well as to those at high risk for the virus. Officials will vaccinate the public from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Health Department, 200 Maine, as long as supplies last.

The department will administer 2,000 flu vaccinations. Elaine Houston, health department nurse, said she expects the supplies to last for several days. When they do run out, more vaccinations are on the way.

Until now, the Health Department has only been vaccinating seniors and individuals with chronic illnesses. After evaluating the supplies, the department now is offering the vaccination to the young and healthy.